BURNS LEAVES COUNTY, BETHLEHEM POSITIONS.(Local)

Byline: Michael McKeon Staff writer

Bethlehem is losing the only Democrat in its nearly 200- year history to serve on its Town Board and Albany County is losing its deputy director of its Probation Department.

Robert Burns, 39, said Monday he has accepted a job heading up Monroe County's Probation Department effective in late May. The post will pay him roughly $53,000 - an approximately $16,000 raise.

"I'm excited. I'm ready for a challenge," said Burns, a native of Albany County who has worked for the Probation Department for 16 years.

Burns said the Monroe department is about twice the size of Albany's, with about 200 employees and an $8 …